Bike rides benefit Butler students

Friday bike rides are the highlight of the week at Butler College as education support students and staff embrace the Cycling Without Age program.

The program offers students with limited mobility the opportunity to experience cycling. Participants are strapped into a modified trishaw or wheelchair velo bike and pedalled around the school by a trained staff member. 

Joel Ledsham, health and physical education program coordinator at Butler College in Perth’s northern suburbs, says the program has been a hit since it began 14 months ago. 

“Communication devices asking ‘are we going on the bikes today?’ and the physical gesturing of rotating hands and arms to mimic pedal movement of the bike, is observed frequently by students,” he said. 

“Some students will use the honking clown horn throughout the ride, while others may sit back and relax during the ride.  

“Some use the ride as an opportunity to talk with the accompanying staff member, peer, or even the pilot.  

“Many are disappointed when the ride is over, but thankful they can repeat the process again very soon.”

 While the sensory aspect is lapped up by enthusiastic students, Mr Ledsham believes the bike rides have also boosted classroom motivation and improved educational outcomes. 

“The program has reinvigorated thinking within Butler College’s education support environment,” he said. 

“The bikes are an essential tool in supporting behaviour management and de-escalation practices, promoting turn-taking and peer collaboration. 

“They’ve also developed spatial awareness and safe onboarding and disembarking procedures for our students, as they would experience on most modes of public transport.” 

All nine education support classes at Butler College participate in the bike rides, with 30 to 40 students from Years 7 to 12 involved each week.  

There are now 10 staff members qualified to ride the bikes after being trained by Cycling Without Age volunteers. 

Kate Dagnell, Butler College’s education support program coordinator, is proud of the program’s accessibility and capacity to connect with participants on different levels. 

“We’ve attached mobile phones to the bike with a direct feed to the pilot, to allow students who require constant facial monitoring due to possible seizure activity access,” she said. 

“The program offers our students connection with a peer and pilot on the journey as well as within the wider school community, as they ride by student wellbeing and maths lessons in progress.” 

The program recently ventured to Quinns Beach for a coastal ride, a milestone Mrs Dagnell believes will strengthen the students’ connection to the wider community. 

“It connects our families with meaningful links to the community and places they can confidently access with the whole family,” she said. 

“Parents and caregivers of three of our students transitioning out of school are also in contact with Cycling Without Age to continue accessing the program in the community, as part of their meaningful post-school community schedule.” 

Two local primary schools recently reached out to Butler College for advice on running their own Cycling Without Age program. 

For Mr Ledsham, the weekly bike rides have been encouraging on a professional level. 

“To witness our students laughing, smiling and honking the horn during these rides reinforces why I am in education,” he said. 

To learn more about the program, visit the Cycling Without Age website.